Democratic District Leader for New York's 65th Assembly District

Tomorrow, Tuesday June 26th, I will be voting to reelect Congresswoman Nydia M. Velazquez. I’m writing to ask you to join me. For 20 years, Nydia has been a true progressive voice. The first Puerto Rican woman elected to Congress, she has been a consistent advocate for women, working families, immigrants, small businesses and economic justice. I am proud to call her my Congresswoman.

Nydia Velazquez has not been afraid to take tough stances. She voted against the Iraq War, the PATRIOT Act and the anti-gay “Defense of Marriage Act”. As Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, she has taken a lead role in fighting for the DREAM Act and for a path to citizenship for millions of undocumented workers. In housing, Velazquez’s work resulted in an additional $55 million annually to staff and operate NYC Housing Authority buildings that had been underfunded for years. She was also instrumental in getting $28 billion in Section 8 rental assistance vouchers for 2012. Those vouchers help over 100,000 NYC families meet their rent obligations.

Nydia also voted for the Affordable Care Act – which will extend health insurance to over 30 million Americans. Below is a video of her fighting to include a Public Option in the bill.

Nydia Velazquez deserves reelection and our support. Tomorrow, she will face three primary opponents. The most serious of them is running as a puppet of the Brooklyn Democratic Party boss – who has long resented Nydia’s independent mind and fierce advocacy for cleaner government. Allowing the old-line party machine bosses to win would be a serious setback to progressive, reform movement in New York.

The primary election is open to all Democrats in New York’s new 7th Congressional District. The district includes the Lower East Side, the East Village and Chinatown in Manhattan, as well as Carroll Gardens, Boerum Hill, Brooklyn Heights, Williamsburg, Park Slope, Bushwick, Red Hook and Sunset Park in Brooklyn and Maspeth and Woodhaven in Queens.

Polls will be open on Tuesday, June 26th from 6:00 AM until 9:00 PM. The district lines have changed significantly since the last election, so even very informed voters may be in the 7th Congressional District without knowing it.

Nydia Velazquez has been endorsed by The New York Times, The Daily News, President Barack Obama, MoveOn.org, NARAL, Councilmember Rosie Mendez, State Senator Daniel Squadron, Downtown Independent Democrats and many more. She is exactly the kind of independent, honest progressive voice we cannot afford to lose in Congress. Please join me in voting for her tomorrow.